South Georgia Island sea kayak voyage wins Australian Geographic’s 2015 Adventurers of the Year award

AN Aussie adventurer has recounted his extraordinary and treacherous kayak journey around a remote, icy island — a voyage that won him an award.

Mountaineers ... Scaling the 862m-high Snow Peak on the island’s northwest made a nice break from paddling for John and Andrew. Picture: Andrew Maffett

A PERTH adventurer has recalled how he and three mates achieved a 30-year dream of circumnavigating South Georgia Island, a kayaking journey that saw them named the 2015 Australian Geographic Society’s Adventurers of the Year.

Andrew Maffett had been yearning to visit the remote island for three decades, located near the southern tip of South America and northeast end of the Antarctic Peninsula, where mountain ranges drip with glaciers along its entire 170km coastline.

After several failed attempts due to costs and logistics, the seasoned kayaker and mountaineer at last quenched his thirst for adventure as a 50th birthday gift to himself and his friend, John Jacoby. Two other friends joined them, Chris Porter and Jim Bucirde.

Completing the circumnavigation in 13 days, the team achieved it six days faster than anyone before them. They then went onto cross the island, retracing the footsteps of famed polar explorer Ernest Shackleton who visited in 1916.

Mr Maffett’s voyage played out before an audience of wildlife including fur and elephant seals, noisy penguins and nesting seabirds.

The team battled furious winds, wild seas and dangerous surf crashing onto icebergs.

“For us it was a cold and stormy world with treacherous potential everywhere — but for a menagerie of perfectly adapted wildlife it is an oasis,” Mr Maffett said.

Strong gusts flattened tents and even sent one crew member airborne before falling into icy waters.

“We were immersed in wildlife and the clouds parted occasionally to reveal jagged peaks that towered above us. It felt as though we’d found a lost world,” Mr Maffett said.

“We had shared an extraordinary adventure and shown that old blokes really can do great stuff.”

Read the full story in the latest edition of Australian Geographic on sale now at all Australian Geographic stores and selected newsagents or call 1300 55 176 to order.